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Today
Monthly Poetry Gatherings. 6:30-8 p.m., every second Thursday of each month at the Southwest Room at Mesa Public Library.

CANCELLED Aaron’s Kids Closet, a free store, will be open 6:30-8:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 715 Diamond Dr. Available items are clothing, shoes and coats for school aged children. For information on how to donate, call the church office or Michelle at 660-0340.

The Los Alamos Genealogical Association will meet at 7 p.m. at the Mesa Public Library. The speaker will be Amanda Galbraith and her topic will be “Family Search and Family Tree: A Valuable Tool for Every Family Historian.” The traditional no-host dinner will be at 5:30 p.m. at China Moon prior to the Genealogy Meeting. The public is invited.

The Dust, Drought and Dreams Gone Dry exhibit in the Upstairs Art Gallery. On display daily through Feb. 20.

Two local, active Los Alamos Mountaineer members will be speaking about a recent trip to Colorado.
Norbert Ensslin and Nathan Moody will discuss their adventure during the monthly mountaineers meeting, 7 p.m. Feb. 18 at Fuller Lodge.
At the northern end of Colorado’s Alamosa Valley, the Sangre de Cristo mountain range ends in a compact, 20-mile-long line of peaks. The ridgeline dominates the view to the East for anyone driving through the little town of Villa Grove on the way to Poncha Pass. Over the years, many Mountaineers on their way to climb Fourteeners in the summer or do hut trips in the winter have stared at this ridge and wondered what it would be like to traverse the whole length of the ridge.
How long would it take? Where would you get water? How would you get on the ridge and off again? In September, two small groups of Mountaineers, along with Ensslin and Moody, set out to find the answers to these questions. The program will present what they saw, did and discovered on this adventure, especially the answer to that classic mountaineers question, “How hard could it be?”
The Los Alamos Mountaineers meetings also offer refreshments and casual conversation, as well as updates on upcoming trips and safety advice learned from outdoor adventuring.

Northern New Mexico District, Great Southwest Council Boy Scouts of America
announces the Annual Klondike 2015 at the Elliott Barker Girl Scout Camp in Angel Fire on Saturday.
This year’s Klondike is hosted by BSA Troop 98 of Taos.
In the late 1890s, gold prospectors traveled the frigid reaches of Alaska and Canada by dog sleds to reach the gold fields of the Klondike. They braved all kinds of winter weather and hardships, and therefore needed keen survival skills.
Boy Scouts recreate this awesome trek using their heads, scouting skills and teamwork. Scouts build their own sleds, pulled by scouts and race a course with challenges involving winter first aid, fire building, winter rescue, snowshoeing, map reading, orienteering and animal track identification.
Cub Scouts will also have a special one-day Klondike Challenge. Nearly 180 scouts, leaders and family members are expected to be in attendance. For more information about the Klondike, contact Eddie Dry 575-754-3364.
Community leaders or Eagle Scouts who are interested in joining in the festivities from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Feb. 14, and can contact Chaz Mitchell 575-758-4845 to RSVP.

An “epic” partnership between Santa Fe arts production company Meow Wolf, and world-renowned “Game of Thrones” novelist and Santa Fe resident George R.R. Martin has been agreed upon to open a large-scale, multi-use art complex on the site of a former bowling alley.
Meow Wolf will lease the 33,000 sq. ft. building site, purchased by Martin, for the next 10 years. Following a planned $2.7 million renovation, the complex will feature 19 artist studio spaces, a Learning Center to provide affordable youth arts education, classic gallery space, a venue for nighttime events programming and a gift shop featuring the work of local artisans.
The space will also serve as a home to Meow Wolf’s new 20,000 sq. ft. permanent art attraction, House of Eternal Return.
Originally organized in Santa Fe as an informal art collective in 2008, Meow Wolf has since grown into a multi-faceted arts and entertainment production company, specializing in immersive multi-media experiences.
Since its creation, Meow Wolf has developed 22 fully-immersive exhibits in eight cities across the nation, combining digital technologies, dynamic narrative and structural elements that allow for multi-level exploration.

The Pajarito Environmental Education Center is offering a two-part afterschool program on Wednesday afternoons introducing school-aged children to geology and minerals.
Geologist Patrick Rowe will tailor the workshop to kids, so that they can explore the topic in a fun and hands-on manner. The classes will be from 1-3 p.m. Feb. 18 and Feb. 25 at PEEC. Parents can sign their children up for one or both sessions.
During the first session on Feb. 18, Rowe will describe the three different types of rocks, go through the rock cycle, show examples of each type of rock, and then talk about how to identify different kinds of rocks. On Feb. 25, Rowe will go into more detail about how each kind of rock is formed and where it can be found.
The cost is $20 for one session, or $35 for both sessions. PEEC members receive discounted rates of $16 for one session, or $28 for both. Advance registration is required and those interested can sign up online at PajaritoEEC.org.

Today
Game Night: 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. every Wednesday at the Mesa Public Library in the Upstairs Rotunda.

Play Reading for “Dial ‘M’ for Murder.” Join at Los Alamos Little Theatre. 7 p.m. in the Green Room at the Performing Arts Center, 1670 Nectar St.

The Chama River: A New Mexico Gem. 7 p.m. The Chama River is probably one of the West’s most undiscovered and diverse rivers. It offers opportunities for rafting, hiking and ﬁshing, but has been facing some serious issues recently. Noah Parker, of Land of Enchantment Guides, will discuss the current situation on the river and a catch and release initiative that is being proposed. No advance registration is required. Free. For more information, visit PajaritoEEC.org, call 662-0460, or email Programs@PajaritoEEC.org.

Family Strengths Network has three upcoming classes in various subjects. The community is encouraged to sign up now, because space is limited.
Special Saturdays from 10 a.m.-noon Feb. 14 is for children with developmental or physical special needs. The class consists of rock climbing at the YMCA. Cost is $10.
Sibshops are from 10:15-11:45 a.m. on Saturdays, Feb. 14-March 7. The classes are for siblings of special needs children. Cost is $50 non-members, $40 members. Classes are held at Family Strengths Network, 1990 Diamond Dr.
Baby Makes Three are classes for first time expecting parents. They are from 6:30-8 p.m. Thursdays Feb. 19-March 26 at Family Strengths Network. Cost is $75 non-members and $60 members.
For more information, visit lafsn.org, or call 662-4515.
National African
American Read-In

The Mesa Public Library is celebrating the works of African-American authors Feb. 16 through Feb. 20. All of the regular storytimes and M&M sessions will include songs, stories and rhymes from African-American artists. The library will also be hosting after school read-ins for the whole family in the downstairs rotunda.
Hours will be 3-4 p.m. Feb. 16, 4-5 p.m. Feb. 17 and 4-5 p.m. Feb. 20.

A Mindfulness Class at Los Alamos High School is underway now during lunch period in Lynn Ovaska’s psychology classroom. Students can register online at losalamosjjab.com.
The nine-week session follows the Mindfulness in Schools Project’s curriculum, an evidence-based program developed in the United Kingdom. This curriculum was specifically designed by classroom teachers to help students:
• Feel happier, calmer and more fulfilled
• Get along better with others
• Concentrate and learn better
• Cope with stress and anxiety
• Perform better in music and sport
Mindfulness is simply paying attention with kindness and curiosity to the breath, body, thoughts, feelings and what is happening in the world.
Much like going to the gym strengthens muscles and building mileage increases endurance, mindful awareness training enhances the ability to focus, deal with strong emotions and enjoy life. In a mindfulness class, the students practice mindful eating, breathing, listening and moving.
The class takes a look at how the brain and the body work in response to stress, depression and anxiety. Techniques are learned for pausing before speaking or acting and calming down when tied up in knots.

The Chama River is one of the southwest’s most undiscovered and diverse rivers. Yet the river has been facing some serious issues recently due to drought conditions, water management and unregulated fishing.
In a free talk at 7 p.m. today at the Pajarito Environmental Education Center, Noah Parker will discuss the current situation on the river from a holistic point of view, as well as touch upon a catch and release initiative that is being proposed for the fishery.
Starting in the mountains on the Colorado border, the charming Chama River flows as a freestone stream for many miles through high mountain forests and meadows.
Below El Vado reservoir, it runs for more than 30 miles through rugged, multi-colored sandstone canyons and rough terrain with limited access. For six miles of this section it passes through the 50,000 acre Chama River Canyon Wilderness area. Another less remote stretch flows from below Abiquiu dam down to the Rio Grande. This diverse river provides amazing opportunities for rafting, hiking and fishing.
For the last 10 years, Parker and the other guides that work with him have spent many days a year on the Chama, giving them the opportunity to experience first-hand the challenges that the river faces. Parker will share these observations.

The American Institute of Architects presents, “Fires and the Archaic Landscapes of the Valles Caldera,” by Anastasia Steffen from the Valles Caldera National Preserve. She will address the issue of wildfires and how they impact the archaeological protected areas across the western United States. Lecture to begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Pecos Trail Cafe back room in Santa Fe. For more information, contact Mary Ann Essig at essigmae@gmail.com, 505-231-7624.

The Dust, Drought and Dreams Gone Dry exhibit in the Upstairs Art Gallery. On display daily through Feb. 20.

The Los Alamos Historical Society will host a lecture by Baldwin G. Burr, “Ernie Pyle — Bringing the World to American’s Doorstep.” The talk will begin 7:30 p.m. today at Fuller Lodge.
Ernie Pyle was an American journalist known for his columns written as a roving correspondent both before and during World War II. He reported from Europe and the Pacific, and was killed in 1945 on the Japanese Island of Le Shima.
Pyle pioneered the “On the Road” style of narrative journalism, and journeyed around the world specializing in telling the stories of everyday folks. He especially loved the southwestern United States, and lived briefly in Albuquerque, in the only house he and his wife ever owned.
The presentation examines Pyle’s career as a journalist and his role in informing those on the WWII homefront about the life of the common soldier.
Burr is the consulting historian at the Los Lunas Museum of Heritage and Arts.
AIA talk discusses Valles Caldera landscapes

The American Institute of Architects presents, “Fires and the Archaic Landscapes of the Valles Caldera,” by Anastasia Steffen from the Valles Caldera National Preserve.

I’m feeling the need for a little bit of positivity this week and thank goodness, because it is Random Acts of Kindness Week.
That’s right, now through Friday is a week of opportunities for you to sneak up and do something fun for no reason at all. Can’t you just think of the opportunities?
I know the Aspen Elementary K-kids program, the Los Alamos Middle School WEB Crew leaders and some of their seventh graders and a handful of Los Alamos High School students along with their Natural Helpers spent some time making Valentine’s for Veterans.
Margaret Garcia and her courteous crew from the Veterans of Foreign Wars took the local Valentines to the VA Hospital in Albuquerque.
What? You didn’t get a chance to get them done early? There’s no need to worry, we have lots of local veterans, right here in town.
So put pen, pencil or crayon to paper and bring a few smiles to some local faces.
Where would I find these freedom fighters you might ask? They are literally all around you.
You can find some at the VFW, the American Legion on any day of the week. We have servicemen and women at Sombrillo Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and Aspen Ridge Lodge.
They are also your school board members, your teachers, your youth pastors, coaches and community volunteers.

The Los Alamos Animal Shelter, 226 East Road, 662-8179, has a great selection of adoptable pets just waiting for their forever home, so come adopt a new best friend today! Be sure to check out the Petfinder website for pictures of all adorable adoptable animals:
petfinder.com/shelters/friendsoftheshelter.html
SHELTER HOURS:
Noon to 6 p.m. Monday – Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday and noon-3 p.m. Sunday.
Also, be sure to check out the website at lafos.org, to get more information about volunteering, adopting and donating.
All adoptable pets are microchipped, spayed or neutered, and up-to-date on vaccinations.
CATS
Crest — An orange tabby with beautiful markings and very unique orange-colored eyes. He is one of the current cat room greeters, and loves to be the center of attention! He can be a bit demanding and may prove to be a dominant presence in a multi-cat setting, unless the other cats will play with him and keep him entertained. He loves to play with stick toys, and his new favorite thing at the shelter is a stick toy with little fuzzy fish on the end.

Art exhibits
Footprints: The Inspiration and Influence of Allan Houser. Through May 2015 at the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, 708 Camino Lejo in Santa Fe.

“Guadalupe: 12 Artists One Sacred Icon.” Group art show closing celebration. See new work by artists PAZ and Jane Cassidy. 5-8 p.m. Friday at the Eye on the Mountain Art Gallery, 614 Agua Fria St. in Santa Fe. With special guest speaker, author, scholar and feminist Sallie Bingham, who will talk about the significance of Paz’s “3 Goddesses in One,” the now famous painting of Guadalupe. Show closes Feb. 12. Call for appointment.

Gallery artists group show at the photo-eye Gallery, 541 South Guadalupe St. in Santa Fe. Exhibit runs through March 14.

Recently acquired works by artists Ansel Adams, Gustave Baumann, Betty Hahn and many others will be on view in “Hunting + Gathering: New Additions to the Museum Collection.” The exhibition runs through March 29.

Solo exhibition by Jeri Moore. “The Language of Humanity.” Through February at the Act I Gallery.

The Santa Fe Symphony presents “Shakespeare & Love.” The show begins at 4 p.m. Feb. 22 at The Lensic Performing Arts Center.
Join The Santa Fe Symphony for a Shakespeare-inspired tribute to all things romantic, featuring guest conductor Sarah Hicks, whose “versatile and vibrant musicianship,” according to the New York Times, has secured her place in America’s “next generation of up-and-coming conductors.”
The music will include Tchaikovsky’s “Romeo and Juliet” Overture, Mendelssohn’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and Corigliano’s Red Violin Concerto performed by Concertmaster David Felberg, as well as the favorite love arias and duets of Puccini featuring soloists Sara Heaton, soprano and tenor Joshua Dennis.
There is an optional pre-concert lecture at 3 p.m.
Tickets are $20-76. Half-priced tickets available for children ages 6 to 14 with adult purchase (no children under six admitted). For tickets, call 983-1414 or 1-800-480-1319 for tickets, or the Lensic Box Office at 988-1234.

Competitors of all ages are once again waxing up their snow shovels for the world famous Angel Fire Resort Shovel Race Championships, presented by Lowe’s Valley Market. Racers from all over the country compete by sitting on the scoop of a standard aluminum snow shovel, handle pointed downhill, and then lift their hands and feet to allow gravity to take them for a ride. Each rider gets two shots to clock the fastest time down the front of the Angel Fire ski mountain and top speeds regularly exceed 60 miles per hour. The practice session will be Friday, with the competition scheduled for Saturday.
Shovel racing began as a simple contest in the 1970s when lift operators would ride their shovels down the mountain at the end of their shifts.
“Three hundred sixty three days of the year Angel Fire Resort focuses on offering guests a full mountain of winter and summer activities, but for these two days we also give our guests something unique to watch and cheer for,” said Dan Swanson, director of marketing, Angel Fire Resort. “We are one of only a handful of resorts world-wide where they offer Shovel Racing as a competitive sport.”
Racing categories include:
Little Scoops (ages 6-9)
Youth (ages 10-13)
Junior (ages 14-17)
Women In Media
Adult Women (ages 18+)

Estrella Del Norte Vineyard, near Santa Fe will use one of Santa Fe’s iconic figures, Zozobra, on their wine label “Zozobra Red — Red Table Wine.”
Use of the Zozobra brand will help promote more awareness about one of the community’s largest events that funds much of the good work the Kiwanis Club is able to do for Santa Fe.
Zozobra will have his debut into the Santa Fe wine scene following the bottling and labeling at Estrella Del Norte Vineyard by the end of February when it will be released. Tastings as well as an opportunity to purchase the wine at the vineyard estate is available. The winery is 15 minutes north of Santa Fe in the Pojoaque/Nambé valley.
The Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe is an important part of the international Kiwanis Club organization. Originally formed on April 25, 1921, the club has had a significant impact on the children and community of Santa Fe.
In addition to helping more than 155 students with more than $450,000 for college scholarships, the club has also had an important hand in many community service projects, such as the organization of the annual Pinewood Derby, building a computer lab for St. Catherine’s Indian school, and the Kamp Kiwanis camping facility and program for handicapped children.